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Ethics Charges Settled With EMS Chief
The former chief of EMS for FDNY has been slapped with a hefty fine by the city’s Conflicts of Interest Board. Chief John Peruggia, who was demoted in early January following numerous complaints over the city’s response to the December 26, 2010 blizzard, agreed to pay a $12,500 fine to dispose of the matter. The board alleged that an EMS vendor, Masimo, Inc., gave Chief Peruggia free trips and compensation in exchange for presentations the chief made at various locations across the country. At the time, Chief Peruggia was on a committee responsible for recommending whether FDNY should buy a…
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FDNY Firefighters and Officers Unions Sue To Block Cuts
The FDNY Uniformed Firefighters Association and the Uniformed Fire Officers Association have filed suit against the City of New York to challenge the reduction of staffing on 60 engine companies from 6 personnel to 5. According to Mayor Bloomberg the cost cutting move is expected to save $30 million (either those guys make an awful lot of money or the mayor’s math is off…. I’m betting it’s the latter). The staffing reduction means all 194 engine in FDNY will now be staffed with 5 members (an officer and 4 firefighters). Previously the 60 busiest engines were staffed with 6. Ladder companies will continue to be…
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Amtrak Sues Detroit Fire For Train Collision
Amtrak filed suit yesterday against the city of Detroit for damages following a March 1, 2010 accident in which a Chicago bound train struck a Detroit Fire Department ladder truck parked on the tracks. The lawsuit, filed in United States District Court in Detroit, alleges negligence by the firefighters, who were operating at the scene of a vehicle accident between a tractor trailer and car. Amtrak claims its damages exceed $75,000. The DFD ladder truck was destroyed in the accident and was valued at $600,000. One firefighter was injured in the crash, and one passenger on the train was treated.…
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Outrageous Lawsuit in Michigan Against Fire Department & Firefighter
Those who know me know that I adamantly defend our civil liability system against baseless media accusations that portray most plaintiffs as bums looking for easy money and plaintiffs' attornies as unscrupulous ambulance chasers. Its just not the case…. most of the time …. However, this accident case filed against the Frenchtown Township Fire Department and firefighter Fred Carter is one that I cannot defend. Hopefully the plaintiff and his attorney get what they deserve: a Rule 11 sanction by the court for filing a frivilous lawsuit!!!!! Here is an abbreviated version of Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure…
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DeKalb County Wrongful Death Suit Settled – Lesson Learned
A settlement has been reached in the lawsuit against DeKalb County arising out of the death of Ann Bartlett. Mrs. Bartlett died on January 24, 2010 after her oxygen device sparked a fire in her home. Bartlett called 911 to report the fire and fire trucks responded to her house, but apparently returned in service when they saw nothing visible from the street. They returned several hours later to find the house well involved. The suit was filed by Bartlett's family against the county and five firefighters. CBS Atlanta is reporting that the settlement was for $200,000, and includes assurances that steps…
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FDNY Whacked with Two $20 Million Wrongful Death Suits
December 27, 2010 was a tough day for many New Yorkers. A devastating blizzard, unplowed streets, traffic gridlock, a back log of EMS calls 1300 incidents long… then the prompt removal of the Chief of EMS… and now two $20 million dollar lawsuits filed by the same attorney on behalf of two different families who lost loved ones. Attorney Sanford Rubenstein represents Robert Davis, the widower of Claire Reed who died of heart attack on December 27, 2010 after waiting more than 90 minutes for an ambulance, and Laura Freeman, daughter of Yvonne Freeman who similarly died of a heart attack the…
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Volunteer Arson Again Again…
A third volunteer firefighter has been charged with arson in Cleburne County, Alabama, following the arrests of two firefighters for arson earlier this month. Adrian Campbell, 19, was arrested on January 21, 2011 for setting a fire vacant home on fire on November 17, 2010. The other two firefighters, Tyler Moore and Kevin Johnson, both 18, were arrested two weeks ago in connection with a January 6, 2011 fire. Moore was also charged in connection with the November 17th fire. All were members of the Hollis Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department. The Fire Litigation Database currently has 268 criminal cases against…
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SC Volunteer Firefighters Accused in Theft Ring
Two volunteer firefighters from the Ridgeville Volunteer Fire Department, in Dorchester County, South Carolina, have been arrested in Orangeburg County in connection with the theft of nearly $40,000 worth of copper wire. Firefighters Jeffrey McQueen Riley, Jr., 21, and Johnathon Ryan Carter, 24, along with 17 year old Daniel Addison Carter, 17, allegedly used the Ridgeville Fire Department’s bolt cutters to break through security fences to access the wire at three electric company locations. All three men have been charged with grand larceny and criminal conspiracy. As the news clip explains, alert citizens led to the trio’s arrest. Based on tips…
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Weekend Random Thoughts on Fire Service Legal Challenges
Fire Law blog is all about the connection between the fire service and the law. Virtually every aspect of what firefighters do – is impacted by the law and legal issues. Legal services are expensive, and not everyone has friends or relatives who are attorneys that can answer basic legal questions for free, let alone represent them in court. As a result many people choose to go without access to good, competent legal advice until it is too late. Even then the advice and representation comes at great expense. Is there a solution? Well, actually yes, there is. Legal insurance.…
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